Smith Postdoctoral Fellowship in Conservation Research 2025

Smith Postdoctoral Fellowship in Conservation Research 2025 — A complete guide

Deadline September 30, 2025

Smith Postdoctoral Fellowship in Conservation Research 2025 — A complete guide: Smith Postdoctoral Fellowship in Conservation Research 2025 — A complete guide, the David H. Smith Postdoctoral Conservation Research Fellowship (commonly called the Smith Fellowship) is one of the most prestigious early-career awards for people whose work sits at the intersection of conservation science, policy and practice. For two years the Fellowship gives talented, solutions-oriented postdoctoral researchers the time, money, training and networks to design and run research that directly informs conservation management and policy in the United States and its five permanently inhabited territories. The award is intentionally applied — the program exists to create scientists who can move ideas into action, not just publish papers. Smith FellowsCedar Tree Foundation

If you’re finishing a PhD or are an early-career researcher thinking about how to transition into the impact side of conservation, the Smith Fellowship is worth studying carefully.

Smith Postdoctoral Conservation Research Fellowship Program giveses a special opportunity for early-career conservation scientists to embark novel …..

This article pulls together what the Fellowship is (and isn’t), who is eligible, how the application is judged, how to craft a competitive proposal, what life as a Smith Fellow looks like, and practical tips that past Fellows and program materials recommend. Sources are official program pages and announcements — I’ll flag the most important facts and provide a clear, actionable application roadmap. Smith Fellowsconbio.org

What is the Smith Fellowship? (clear and concise)

Purpose: A two-year postdoctoral fellowship that supports early-career researchers undertaking applied conservation research designed to inform concrete conservation decisions in the U.S. and its five permanently inhabited territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa). researchfunding.duke.eduSmith Fellows
Sponsor & administration: Funded by philanthropic partners (notably Cedar Tree Foundation) and administered in partnership with conservation organizations — program pages and announcements list the Society for Conservation Biology and others as administrative partners. Cedar Tree Foundationconbio.org
Duration & format: The Fellowship normally funds two years of full-time postdoctoral work; funding pays salary through the host institution and includes a research/travel budget and professional development activities (including multi-day retreats). Smith Fellowstyoung.princeton.edu

These three bullets are the foundational facts you should memorize. They shape every strategic choice you make in the application.

Why the program is distinctive

Several features set the Smith Fellowship apart from many other postdoctoral opportunities:

Applied focus. Proposals must clearly connect hypothesis-driven (or evaluation) science to tangible conservation actions, management decisions, or policy outcomes. Broad conceptual work without clear application is unlikely to be competitive. conbio.org
Network & training. Fellows attend multiple retreats per year that combine leadership training, community-building, and applied skill development (communication, stakeholder engagement, implementation science). Past Fellows emphasize that these retreats are as valuable as the monetary award. tyoung.princeton.edu
Host-driven funds. The award is granted to the Fellow but the money is routed through the host institution — salary and research costs are managed by the host. This means your host institution’s administrative capacity matters. researchfunding.duke.edu

Who should apply? Eligibility and strategic fit

Eligibility (high-level)

Early-career: the program targets researchers recently awarded their PhD. The eligibility window has historically been within a few years of the PhD (the program has updated its eligibility windows in recent application cycles to better align with early-career timelines — check current guidelines for exact cutoffs). Applicants of any citizenship may apply provided they will be based at a U.S. host institution and their research will primarily take place within the U.S. or its permanently inhabited territories. Note: the program generally does not sponsor visas, so international applicants must arrange legal work eligibility through their host institution. Smith Fellows+1

Strategic fit — are you the right applicant?

You should apply if:

Your work addresses a clear conservation problem in the U.S. or its territories (not an abstract global question without U.S. relevance).
You can propose research with an implementation pathway — who will use the results, how will it change practice, what partnerships exist now or will be formed.
You want professional development (networks, leadership skills) in conservation practice, not just a conventional academic postdoc.

You probably should not apply if:

Your research is primarily lab-based with no immediate conservation application in U.S. settings.
You need institutional support that your desired host cannot provide (e.g., visa sponsorship when your host cannot assist).

(These eligibility and fit points are drawn from official guidance and recent program updates; always confirm exact dates and eligibility windows on the program site.) Smith Fellows+1

Funding & benefits — what the award covers

While exact figures and lines can change by year, the Fellowship historically provides:

Two years of salary support (disbursed through the host institution). Published summaries in program materials and fellow writeups indicate the award covers a competitive postdoc salary commensurate with U.S. postdoctoral norms. tyoung.princeton.eduresearchfunding.duke.edu
Research and travel funds to implement the project (fieldwork, stakeholder meetings, conferences, data acquisition).
Professional development experiences: multi-day retreats, mentorship, leadership workshops, and access to an alumni network. Smith Fellowstyoung.princeton.edu

Some third-party pages summarize the award cash value (commonly reported around USD 70,000/year in aggregate summaries), but the authoritative source is the program website and formal guidelines; numbers and budgeting rules can vary and are administered through the host institution. Always rely on the official proposal guidelines for precise budget formatting and permitted costs. WeMakeScholarsresearchfunding.duke.edu

Important dates & logistics (2025 call & timeline)

Application deadlines and cycles change. For the 2026 Fellowship cycle (the call commonly published in 2025), application materials and deadlines are posted on the Smith Fellows site and partner announcements. For example, recent public announcements list application deadlines of September 30, 2025 (11:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time) for the next cycle, with awards announced in early 2026 and typical fellowship start windows in mid-2026. Confirm these exact dates on the official site before you submit. MANRRSSmith Fellows

Practical timeline:

Spring–Summer (pre-application): Identify host mentors and partners; draft project; secure institutional commitment.
By early Fall (deadline typically late September): Submit full application, including mentor and reference letters.
Early next year: Finalists notified; selection completed.
Fellowship start: Fellowships often start between June and September of the award year. MANRRSresearchfunding.duke.edu

Application components — what they will ask for

The Smith Fellowship application package typically includes:

Project proposal (a clearly written, applied research plan).
Personal statement (motivation, career trajectory, commitment to conservation practice).
CV / publication list.
Host mentor letter (detailed, confirming host institution support, mentorship plan, access to facilities and administrative capacity).
Reference letters (often from academic and practitioner partners).
Budget and budget justification (salary, research costs, travel, indirect costs as allowed).
Data management & ethical compliance statements (if applicable).

The exact page limits and formatting rules are specified in the program’s Request for Proposals and application portal — follow them precisely. Missing documents or host support statements are common automatic disqualifiers. Smith Fellowsconbio.org

How the selection committee evaluates proposals

While precise scoring rubrics are internal, program materials and public announcements highlight the main evaluation axes:

Relevance & impact. Does the research address a clearly defined conservation decision or management problem in a U.S. context? Are the users of the research (managers, agencies, communities) identified, and is there a plausible pathway to adoption of results? conbio.org
Scientific merit & innovation. Is the proposed research sound, rigorous and creative? Does it bring new methods or combinations (e.g., integrating social and ecological data) to bear on the problem? researchfunding.duke.edu
Feasibility & timeline. Can the research be achieved within two years? Is the scope realistic given resources and logistics?
Partnerships & mentoring. Does the host institution offer the necessary mentorship, support and access to practitioners? Are there letters showing collaboration with management agencies or nonprofit partners? Smith Fellows
Professional development & leadership potential. Does the candidate show potential to be a long-term bridge between science and applied conservation? The program invests in people who will go on to lead teams, policy efforts, or conservation programs. Cedar Tree Foundation

In short: the committee looks for applied science with strong partnerships and a candidate who will use the Fellowship to become a conservation leader.

Writing a competitive proposal — step-by-step

Below is an evidence-based, tactical approach distilled from program guidance and past Fellows’ accounts.

1. Start with the management question (not the hypothesis)

Frame your proposal around a concrete management decision: “How should agency X modify policy Y to reduce outcome Z?” Follow this with the scientific hypothesis or evaluation that will produce decision-ready information. If your work is primarily theoretical, show the translation pathway explicitly. conbio.org

2. Demonstrate partnerships and pathways to use

Include letters or statements from the intended users (land managers, federal or territorial agencies, NGOs) that explain how they will use your results. An email expressing interest is weaker than a signed letter describing concrete commitments (e.g., access to data, a management trial site, willingness to host pilot implementation). Programs like Smith prioritize clear use-cases. researchfunding.duke.edu

3. Keep scope realistic for two years

Design the project so a meaningful, usable product (decision framework, validated management tool, monitoring protocol, policy brief) will be delivered within the Fellowship term. If you need multi-year monitoring, design a pilot/rapid-assessment within 24 months that demonstrates feasibility. tyoung.princeton.edu

4. Blend methods and show feasibility

If you plan comparative analyses, modeling, experiments, or social science, provide a succinct methods section and a timeline showing deliverables by month/quarter. Flag data availability and any permits you’ll need — the selection committee wants to see you’ve thought through logistics. Smith Fellows

5. Explain professional development outcomes

Say explicitly how the Fellowship will change your career trajectory (e.g., “I will gain skills in stakeholder facilitation, lead adaptive-management trials, and publish applied guidance for agency X”). The program funds leaders, so articulate your leadership plan and how retreat training will be used. Cedar Tree Foundation

6. Craft strong mentor & institutional support letters

Host letters should: confirm salary/payment mechanism; describe mentorship time and content; state access to facilities/field sites; and commit to administrative support (HR, IRB, procurement). Letters that merely praise your work are far less useful than letters describing specific resources and a mentoring plan. researchfunding.duke.edu

7. Build a realistic budget and budget justification

Follow the template in the official guidelines. If the site defines allowable research expenses, travel rules for retreats, and indirect cost limits, follow them strictly. Be conservative rather than speculative. Smith Fellows

8. Get external reviews & iterate

Before submission, have a manager from the intended partner read the proposal for clarity and usability, and have a senior scientist review scientific rigor. Iterate on clarity: selection panels value crisp, plain-language descriptions of how results will change decisions. tyoung.princeton.edu

Example project archetypes (what tends to succeed)

To help you imagine concrete proposals, here are archetypes that have been competitive in recent cycles:

Adaptive-management field trials: a controlled before-after study testing an alternative management action with documented outcomes and an implementation plan if successful.
Decision-support tools: development and validation of a model or tool directly embedded in an agency’s workflow (e.g., restoration prioritization tool adopted by a state agency).
Applied social-ecological evaluations: combining stakeholder-attuned social research with ecological monitoring to co-produce management guidelines.
Synthesis & meta-analysis to inform policy: cross-site synthesis that resolves conflicting evidence and produces direct guidance for an agency decision.

These archetypes are not exhaustive, but they illustrate the “actionable science” emphasis. conbio.orgresearchfunding.duke.edu

Letters of support — what mentors & referees should say

Host mentor letter should include:

Commitment to host the Fellow for the two-year period and a summary of salary administration.
Detailed mentorship plan (meeting frequency, training topics, co-supervised projects).
Access to lab/field facilities, administrative support, and institutional obligations (e.g., teaching load = none).
Confirmation of any in-kind support (data access, field sites). researchfunding.duke.edu

Reference letters should:

Speak to your ability to carry out the proposed work and to engage with stakeholders.
Provide concrete examples of your leadership potential and past successes in applied contexts.
One letter from a practitioner partner (agency manager or NGO) that confirms commitment is often very persuasive. tyoung.princeton.edu

Budgeting, host institution & visa considerations

Budget through host institution: Award funds are routed through the host; ensure your host can accept and manage the award. Some universities have complex overhead or hiring practices — get that admin conversation early. researchfunding.duke.edu
Visa & employment: The program typically does not provide visas. International applicants should confirm host institutions can sponsor appropriate visas or that they have independent work authorization. This is a common logistical hurdle. Smith Fellows

What past Fellows say — practical insights

Based on Fellows’ writeups and interviews:

The retreats are intense and transformative — treat them as integral program components (networking, leadership skill-building, cross-disciplinary exposure). tyoung.princeton.edu
Plan for research administration time — instituting fieldwork and contracts commonly takes months; factor that into your 24-month timeline.
Be ready to produce both academic outputs and usable products (policy briefs, technical guidance, datasets) within the Fellowship.

These practical realities often determine whether a technically strong candidate becomes an excellent Fellow. tyoung.princeton.edu

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Weak translation pathway. If your proposal lacks clear users or uptake mechanisms, it will struggle. Fix this by obtaining explicit partner letters and operational plans. conbio.org
Overambitious scope. Two years is short — design a focused, staged project with clear deliverables. tyoung.princeton.edu
Host ambiguity. A non-committal host letter or missing institutional support invites rejection. Obtain explicit, detailed host commitments early. researchfunding.duke.edu
Ignoring logistics. Forgetting permits, data access agreements, or visa requirements is risky. List them and show plans to obtain them. Smith Fellows

Sample timeline (what a successful two-year plan can look like)

Months 0–3: Finalize permits, set up data-sharing agreements, initial stakeholder meetings, pilot method testing.
Months 4–9: Field experiments/data collection, mid-term partner workshops to co-design analysis.
Months 10–15: Data analysis, model development, iterative feedback with partners.
Months 16–20: Implementation of an applied pilot (e.g., management change trial), testing decision-support tool with end-users.
Months 21–24: Final analyses, policy and management briefs, workshop for knowledge transfer, submission of academic papers.

Deliverables should be mapped to months to convince reviewers of feasibility. tyoung.princeton.edu

Selection & notification — what to expect after you apply

Administrative check. Completeness and eligibility are screened first; missing letters are common grounds for rejection.
External review & panel. Applications passing the initial screen are reviewed by mixed panels (scientists and practitioners).
Notification. Finalists and awardees are typically announced several months after the deadline; in recent cycles, awards were announced in early the year following the submission deadline. Exact timing appears in the program’s announcements. MANRRSconbio.org

How to bolster your career whether you win or not

Even if you don’t win the Smith Fellowship, the process is valuable:

Sharpen collaborative proposals — the project you develop can be adapted to other fellowships or grants.
Build host relationships — most applicants develop or strengthen ties to agencies and NGOs that lead to later projects.
Use feedback — if the program provides reviewer feedback, use it to improve future submissions.

Many past applicants who did not become Smith Fellows still used their proposal as the backbone for other funded work or for academic positions. tyoung.princeton.edu

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Q — Is citizenship required?
A — No. Applicants of any citizenship can apply, but they must be based at a U.S. host institution and the research must focus on the U.S. or its permanently inhabited territories. Check visa policies and host capacity for sponsorship. Smith Fellows

Q — Does the program fund international fieldwork?
A — The fellowship’s focus is the U.S. and its territories. Projects primarily outside U.S. borders are unlikely to meet the program’s geographic criteria. researchfunding.duke.edu

Q — Can the Fellowship be deferred?
A — Deferment policies are managed by the program; historically, Fellows start within a recommended window. Ask program administrators if you anticipate delays. Confirm the current year’s terms on the official site. Smith Fellows

Q — How many Fellows are selected each cycle?
A — The number varies by cycle and available funding. Program announcements note the class size when they release results; check the Shepherd/SCB announcements for precise numbers in a given year. conbio.org

Quick-reference checklist for applicants

Confirm your PhD date fits the eligibility window. Smith Fellows
Identify and secure a U.S.-based host institution and mentor. researchfunding.duke.edu
Draft a tight, two-year, usable-research plan with clear users and deliverables. conbio.org
Obtain detailed host letter and partner commitment letters. researchfunding.duke.edu
Prepare budget per official guidelines; confirm institutional acceptance of funds. Smith Fellows
Arrange references (academic + practitioner recommended). tyoung.princeton.edu
Submit all materials by the official deadline (e.g., recent cycles list late-September). MANRRS

Spotlight: Class of 2025 & recent program updates

The Society for Conservation Biology and related program announcements publish the names and projects of newly minted Fellows every cycle. The Class of 2025 exemplifies the program’s diversity of topics and the applied, actor-engaged research the program prizes. Program administrators occasionally adjust eligibility windows and other rules — for example, recent communications announced a change from a five-year to three-year post-PhD eligibility window for a future cycle, with transitional allowances for applicants already preparing proposals. Always consult the official Smith Fellows site for the most current rules and the list of Fellows to see successful project examples. conbio.orgSmith Fellows

Final tips — what separates good from excellent applications

Clarity for non-specialists. Your writing should be accessible to scientists and managers from many sub-disciplines — make the conservation problem and decision pathway obvious within the first page. conbio.org
Real partner commitments. A signed, detailed letter from a manager who will use your results beats standalone academic endorsements. researchfunding.duke.edu
Show immediate deliverables. Commit to at least one tangible product managers can use during or immediately after the Fellowship (e.g., monitoring protocol, interactive map, decision rule). tyoung.princeton.edu
Model feasibility explicitly. If your project relies on models or complex analyses, include a small pilot or existing data test to show it works. Smith Fellows

Where to find official information & apply

Smith Fellows official website — primary source for program descriptions, eligibility, request for proposals and application portal. This should be your authoritative reference for deadlines and detailed instructions. Smith Fellows
Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) announcements — public calls, awardee announcements and news items. Useful for seeing recent Fellows and highlighted projects. conbio.org+1
Cedar Tree Foundation program page — background on the funding partner and program aims. Cedar Tree Foundation

Conclusion — is the Smith Fellowship right for you?

Smith Postdoctoral Fellowship in Conservation Research 2025 — A complete guide, if your research ambition is to produce science that is used — by land managers, agencies, tribal governments, territorial authorities, or nonprofits — the Smith Fellowship is tailored for that mission. It’s designed to produce leaders who can translate rigorous science into actionable conservation. Winning the award requires a realistic two-year plan, strong host and practitioner commitments, and clear professional-development goals. Start early, build partnerships, and align your project tightly with decision-makers’ needs. Even preparing an application will clarify your pathway into conservation practice and often opens collaboration opportunities that outlive the application itself. Smith Fellowsconbio.org

Selected official sources (for your next step)

Smith Fellows (official): program overview and application pages. Smith Fellows
Society for Conservation Biology: 2025 call and award announcements. conbio.org+1
Cedar Tree Foundation: program background and funding partner information. Cedar Tree Foundation
Duke research funding and institutional pages summarizing the Fellowship. researchfunding.duke.edu
Practical Fellow experiences and timelines (examples & advice).

BySIXTUS